Georgia Accrediting Commission Serving Georgia's Schools Since 1904

Transcription

1 Georgia Accrediting Commission Serving Georgia's Schools Since 1904 History of Georgia Accrediting Commission, Inc. Chancellor Walter B. Hill of the University of Georgia employed Dr. Joseph S. Stewart as Professor of Secondary Education on July 1,1903. He was employed to work with the high schools of Georgia to bring about a better relationship between the high schools and the University of Georgia. This was the beginning of the present Georgia Accrediting Commission. Professor Stewart published a manual for high schools during the school year and accepted applications from high schools during that year. He published the first list of accredited schools in Dr. Stewart's work was first financed by George Foster Peabody, then the General Education Board, and later by the University of Georgia. When Dr. Stewart started his work, he found four four-year public high schools in the state and seven four-year private high schools in the state. Literally, the development of high schools in the state of Georgia and the Georgia Accrediting Commission parallel each other at every step of the way. The development of the modern public high school in Georgia began with the employment of Dr. Stewart by the University of Georgia and parallels his continuous and distinguished service in this area from 1903 to his death in Some of his outstanding accomplishments are the accrediting process for Georgia high schools, the organization of the Georgia High School Association, (then known as District High School Associations), leadership in the organization of the Secondary Commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the organizing and editing of the Georgia High School Quarterly, leadership in the fight for legislation for tax-supported high schools, and the long-time leadership for improved curriculum and organization of high schools. In 1920 Chancellor Barrow of the University of Georgia increased the size and representation of the Accrediting Committee. The Committee in 1921 was Dr. Joseph S. Stewart, Chairman, University of Georgia; W. D. Hooper, University of Georgia; J. R. Fain, State College of Agriculture, Athens; T. H. Jack, College Association, Emory; W. E. Farrar, College Association, Mercer; H. H. Caldwell, College Association, Georgia Tech and E. A. Pound, Georgia Department of Education. For a number of years Professor Stewart and Mr. Pound cooperated in visiting schools. Prior to this time, Professor Stewart had been the only visitor and had come to be called the High School Inspector. For 30 years (1904 to his death in 1934) Dr. Stewart was Chairman of the Committee and served as Professor of Secondary Education at the University of Georgia. In 1934 the group organized as the Georgia High School Accrediting Commission

2 with a constitution. The constitution stated four members were to be from the Georgia College Association, four members from the Georgia High School Association, and the High School Supervisor from the State Department of Education, was to serve as an ex-officio member. After the death of Dr. Stewart, the office remained in Athens until For three years Mr. T. J. Dempsey, Jr., State High School Supervisor in the State Department of Education, was the Secretary of the Georgia High School Accrediting Commission. In 1937 Mr. J. Harold Saxon became the University High School Inspector, the title held by Dr. Stewart, and Secretary of the Georgia High School Accrediting Commission. In 1941 the office was moved to the Georgia Department of Education in Atlanta with Mr. W. E. Pafford serving as Executive Director of the Georgia High School Accrediting Commission. Mr. Pafford was the Executive Secretary until his retirement from the State Department of Education in Dr. H. S. Shearouse, staff member of the State Department of Education, then became Executive Secretary until his retirement in Mr. J. A. Mize, a staff member of the State Department of Education became Executive Secretary in 1967 and continued in that position until the office was moved from the State Department of Education in Dr. H. S. Shearouse again became Executive Secretary in 1969 with the office being located at Springfield. Dr. Shearouse served until July 1977, at which time Mr. J. A. Mize became Executive Secretary and the office was moved to Metter. On July 1, 1985 Dr. John Hulsey, Jr., School of Education, Georgia Southern College, succeeded Mr. J. A. Mize, and the office was moved to the campus of Georgia Southern College, Statesboro. On July 1, 1989 Dr. Kenneth M. Matthews, College of Education, the University of Georgia, was appointed as Executive Director and the office was moved to Athens. From the beginning until 1941, the Bulletin, setting forth the rules, regulations, and standards, together with the approved list of accredited schools, was a bulletin of the University of Georgia. In 1941 it became the Official Bulletin of the Georgia High School Accrediting Commission without relationship to any institution. In 1944 the organization changed its name to the Georgia Accrediting Commission and expanded the membership on the Board of Directors to include two representatives from elementary schools, to be selected by the Elementary School Principals Association. A list of standard elementary schools was published for the next two years. In 1947 the elementary schools were listed as accredited schools. In 1974 the Commission began accrediting kindergartens. The membership of the Commission has been changed several times, always to make broader representation from the professional elements within the state. In 1986, the Commission accredited Educational Agencies With Special Purposes for the first time. In September of 1989 the Board of Directors authorized Dr. Kenneth M. Matthews to explore the possibility of accrediting prekindergarten educational programs. During the school year field-tests standards were developed. The standards were field-tested during the school year. In September of 1991 the standards were approved and the first five prekindergarten programs were accredited by the Commission. In response to the growing number of students involved in home schooling and other forms of independent study the Commission began accrediting Non-Traditional Educational Centers in 2005 to serve students who engage part or full-time in independent study. After successfully leading the Commission through 13 years of growth and change Dr. Kenneth M. Matthews chose to retire in June of On July 1, 2002 Dr. Carvin L. Brown, Professor Emeritus, University of Georgia assumed the role of Executive Director. Beginning in August of 2005 the Commission accredited Non-Traditional Educational Centers. Among other requirements, students must spend at least 15 percent of their learning time in independent study for a center to be accredited by the Commission. The centers were formerly

3 members of the Accrediting Commission for Independent Study, an accrediting agency initiated by Dr. Starr Miller, President Emeritus of Brewton-Parker College. The Georgia Accrediting Commission has provided and continues to provide leadership for education in Georgia. The accrediting process stimulates local schools and school districts to provide better and safer physical facilities and to improve the qualifications of staff members, teaching conditions, and curriculum. It also provides a valid means of judging the quality of schools. As a result, the academic credits of students who transfer between accredited schools can be accepted without special examination. Accreditation by the Georgia Accrediting Commission has always been a way of recognizing schools with good educational programs. Its standards continue to serve as guides for those who want to develop good programs. Mission of the Georgia Accrediting Commission, Inc. The mission of the Georgia Accrediting Commission is twofold: (l) to establish standards promoting instruction of high quality for children in Georgia and (2) to encourage schools to meet the established standards. GAC provides an accreditation process designed to establish and uphold standards, to strengthen the quality of education in each school, and to assure its membership and the general public that the established standards are related to the best educational practices. The GAC serves as a means of ensuring that its membership meets certain standards for the operation and support of quality school programs in the State of Georgia. Specifically, GAC establishes standards and procedures to carry out the accreditation process. GAC also determines the accreditation status of the educational program of each school and publishes an annual list of schools with accredited programs. The GAC Executive Director issues certificates for those schools and agencies Provisionally Accredited, Accredited Annually, Accredited, Accredited Fully and Accredited With Quality. The GAC, an independent agency, is governed by a board of elected educators who have an interest in education in Georgia. Membership of the governing board represents teachers, instructional supervisors, school administrators, Regional Educational Service Agency personnel, Georgia Department of Education personnel, and college personnel who are responsible for the preparation of teachers and other professional educators. Glossary of Accrediting Levels for Public and Private Schools The GAC has four levels of classification for Georgia schools seeking accreditation status. The accreditation status of each school must be approved by the GAC Board of Directors. Preparation Status. Preparation status is a classification for a school which has involved its faculty and staff in applying the GAC standards and procedures and is moving toward Accredited status. A school may be in the Preparation status a maximum of two years. Although GAC certificates will not be issued to schools in Preparation status, the schools in Preparation will be listed in the official GAC Bulletin. Provisional Status. Provisional status is a classification for a school which has involved its

4 faculty and staff in applying the GAC standards and procedures and is moving toward Accredited status. The school has also met (1) all standards in the section of finances, and (2) all the standards pertaining to the qualifications of the headmaster, principal, and/or superintendent. A school may be in the Provisional status a maximum of two years. Accredited Status. Accredited status is a classification for a school which has involved its faculty and staff in applying the GAC standards and procedures. The school has also met (1) all the standards in the section on finances, (2) all the standards pertaining to the qualifications of the headmaster, principal, and/or the superintendent, and (3) has met 85% of the standards in each of the sections set by the GAC Board of Directors. The number of standards required to be answered affirmatively in order for a school to meet the 85% required by the GAC is listed at the beginning of each section of the standards. An on-site visit and a written recommendation by an approved GAC consultant are required every five years for a school to remain at this level of accreditation. Accredited With Quality. Accredited With Quality is a classification for a school which has involved its faculty and staff in applying the GAC standards and procedures. The school has also met all standards in all the sections listed in the GAC Bulletin. An on-site visit and a written recommendation by an approved GAC consultant are required every five years for a school to remain at this level of accreditation. Standards for Kindergarten Programs A kindergarten may be accredited as a part of an elementary school, in conjunction with a prekindergarten program, or as a separate entity. The following standards for kindergarten programs are to be used by school officials who are making application for Provisional, Accredited, or Accredited With Quality status for programs in their schools. The number of standards required to be answered affirmatively in order to meet the 85% required by the Commission for Accredited status is given at the beginning of each section of standards. I. Organization (For Accredited status 7 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 7.) 1. The school schedules 180 days of school for students each year. 2. A school day consists of a minimum of three hours of scheduled student activities. 3. The number of students enrolled in each class is not fewer than five or more than 28 students with a system-wide average of 24.2 or less with an aide or 18.2 or less without an aide. 4. A teacher's aide is provided for each class with more than 21 students enrolled. 5. Complete and accurate permanent records are maintained for all students. 6. The kindergarten program has a current collection of media materials appropriate for the kindergarten student.

5 7. Whenever the person designated as the principal or headmaster of the school leaves the position, the Executive Director of the Georgia Accrediting Commission must be notified within 3 months. 8. Student records are protected against fire, theft, and damage by being located in a fireresistant vault or fire-resistant cabinet, or a duplicate set of records is located in another area. 9. Each teacher has at least one 30-minute period per day, or a total of 150 minutes per week, during the class day for planning. II. Personnel (For Accredited status 4 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1through 3.) 1. All teachers hold a bachelor's degree and have at least 18 semester hours credit in early childhood education. This standard may also be met by teachers with bachelor's degrees completing 6 semester hours per year of appropriate professional education until 18 semester hours of credit are obtained. 2. The kindergarten unit has an individual designated as principal or headmaster. 3. Whenever the person designated as the principal or headmaster leaves the position, the Executive Director of the Georgia Accrediting Commission must be notified. 4. When a kindergarten program is accredited as part of an elementary school, teachers and all other staff personnel are employed only upon the recommendation of the principal to the superintendent or headmaster. 5. All persons employed as paraprofessionals, auxiliary helpers, or teachers' aides are under the supervision of a professionally qualified person. 6. The governing board of a school or school system publishes policies that will assure the observance of professional ethics by all concerned and will attract, retain, and promote the professional development of competent school personnel. III. Program of Studies (For Accredited status 3 affirmative answers are required.) 1. The kindergarten curriculum includes objectives that facilitate the development of proficiency in listening, expressing ideas, speaking clearly, observing clearly, participating in groups, keeping healthy, enjoying aesthetic experiences, and living in a pluralistic society. 2. The objectives of the curriculum facilitate the development of behavior based upon values of honesty and integrity, responsibility for one's own actions, respect and concern for others, and understanding and acceptance of self. 3. The kindergarten curriculum is adequate in scope to provide for balanced experiences in the development of basic skills, recreation, health, social living, and aesthetic activities. IV. School Plant (For Accredited status 6 affirmative answers are required.) 1. A safety preparedness plan has been developed for the school.

6 2. The location and construction of the building, the lighting, heating and ventilation of the rooms, the nature of the lavatories, corridors, water supply, furniture, apparatus, and methods of cleaning assure hygienic conditions for students and teachers. 3. Thirty square feet of instructional floor space are provided for each student enrolled for each instructional area constructed after Sanitary conditions exist in the school. 5. All buildings have a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the State Fire Marshall. Those buildings not eligible to be issued a Certificate of Occupancy by the State Fire Marshall have an acceptable inspection report by an appropriate local, State, or federal fire official on file. 6. Fire drills are conducted monthly. V. Finances (For Accredited status 2 affirmative answers are required.) 1. At least $6.00 per student is spent for books and instructional materials each year. 2. The school has a system of internal accounting records showing all receipts and disbursements. These records are audited annually by a qualified individual who is not a member of the administrative staff of the school. Standards for Elementary School Programs Any school containing grades one (1) through five (5) must apply as an elementary school. An elementary school may be a school with any combination of kindergarten (K) through grade eight (8). The following standards for elementary school programs are to be used by principals of schools who are making application for Provisional, Accredited, or Accredited With Quality status for programs in their schools. The number of standards required to be answered affirmatively in order for the school to meet the 85% required by the Commission for Accredited status is given at the beginning of each section of standards. I. Organization (For Accredited status 12 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 10) 1. The school schedules 180 full school days for students each year. 2. A school day consists of at least six hours, exclusive of lunch and recess periods. (A minimum of a school day of four-and-one-half hours is acceptable for grades one through three. Schools may operate on shortened schedules up to one day for each grading period for teacher-parent conferences.) 3. In grades one through three, classes have a maximum of 25 students, or 33 students if the teacher has a full-time aide. The system-wide average class size in grades one through three is 21.5 or less, or 28.6 or less if teachers have full-time aides. In grades four and five, classes have a maximum of 33 students. The school-wide average class size in grades four and five is 28.6 or less. Remedial classes have a maximum of 18 students or 24 students if the teacher

7 has a full-time aide. (This standard is interpreted as meaning that an aide is required whenever the maximum class size for classes without an aide is exceeded. This means that in grades one through three an aide is required whenever there are 26 or more students in a class and that an aide is also required whenever there are 19 or more students in a remedial class). Mixed-model classes have a maximum of 28 students, including no more than eight remedial students per class. 4. Principals of schools with 7 through 13 teachers have at least one-half time free from teaching responsibilities for administration and supervision. Principals of schools with 14 or more teachers have full time for administration and supervision. 5. A combination school (that is, an elementary and high school under one administration) of 30 or more teachers must have an assistant principal. Either the principal or the assistant principal must have major responsibility in the elementary area. 6. All inter-school contests and school-sponsored activities are under the direct and complete control of the school administration. Responsibilities related to school-sponsored activities are not delegated to any person or persons other than school or school system employees. 7. The Media Center has a minimum of 10 books per student or a minimum of 7 books per student and an annual expenditure of $2.00 or more per student for computer disks, video cassettes, video disks, film strips and other non-print media. 8. Complete and accurate permanent records are maintained for all students. 9. Student records are protected against fire, theft, and damage by being located in a fireresistant cabinet or a duplicate set of records is located in another area. 10. Whenever the person designated as the principal or headmaster of the school leaves the position, the Executive Director of the Georgia Accrediting Commission must be notified within 3 months. 11. The school provides each student a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch. 12. The organization of the Media Center collection and the school schedule facilitate maximum use of the collection by pupils during all school hours. 13. Each teacher has at least one 30-minute period per day or a total of 150 minutes per week during the class day for planning. 14. Student activities include access to health and psychological counseling services. 15. When offered by the school, the weekly meals provide one-third of the recommended weekly dietary allowance of nutrients and include meat or a meat alternate, bread, milk, and fruits and/or vegetables. II. Personnel (For Accredited status 10 affirmative answers are required including standards 1 through 9) 1. A school with an enrollment of 750 or more students has a full-time assistant principal or an additional qualified person designated as an assistant to the principal on a full-time basis.

8 2. The staff of an elementary school consists of not less than one full-time teacher per grade. There is a minimum staff of six teachers. One of the staff members must be a qualified principal. 3. All teachers employed on a full-time or part-time basis as instructors in the school hold, as a minimum, a Georgia professional certificate or a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 18 semester hours of professional education. An exception may be granted for those teachers issued permits by the Georgia Department of Education. This standard may also be met by teachers with bachelor's degrees completing 6 semester hours per year of appropriate professional education until 18 semester hours of credit are obtained. 4. The principal holds a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate. In nonpublic schools, the principal or headmaster may hold a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision. 5. The superintendent or headmaster must hold a Georgia five-year administrator's certificate in order for any school in the system to be accredited. In non-public schools the superintendent or headmaster may hold, as a minimum, a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision. 6. The governing board delegates to the superintendent or headmaster all executive and administrative functions, including the nomination of staff personnel. 7. Teachers and all other staff personnel of an individual school are employed only upon the recommendation of the principal to the superintendent or headmaster. 8. Schools with seven through nine teachers have 1/4-time secretarial service, 10 through 13 teachers have l/2-time secretarial service, 14 through 16 teachers have 3/4 time secretarial service, and with 17 or more teachers have full-time secretarial service. An elementary school that is a part of a combination school has secretarial service allocated on the basis of the total number of teachers of the combination school. 9. Schools with more than 200 students have one person assigned at least one-half time to media services. 10. The qualifications and assignments of Media Specialists conform to the following provisions: An elementary school that is a part of a combination school has media service allocated on the basis of the total enrollment of the combination school.

9 11. Persons employed as paraprofessionals, auxiliary helpers, or teachers' aides are under the direct supervision of a professionally qualified person. 12. Assistant principals have preparation leading toward a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate or a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in administration and supervision. Assistant principals who do not meet these requirements may earn 6 semester hours in administration and supervision each year until the requirements are met. 13. The governing board of a school system publishes policies that will assure the observance of professional ethics by all concerned and will attract, retain, and promote the professional development of competent school personnel. 14. All teachers who do not hold current Georgia teaching certificates and who have been employed by the school or school system for five years or more have received at least 6 semester hours or 10 quarter hours of college credit, or 10 Continuing Education Units, or 100 contact hours in locally approved professional development activities within the past five years. III. Program of Studies (For Accredited status 3 affirmative answers are required.) 1. The elementary school curriculum includes objectives that facilitate the development of proficiency in: (a) listening, (b) expressing ideas effectively and creatively, (c) reading well, (d) writing legibly, (e) spelling accurately, (f) speaking clearly, (g) thinking critically, (h) figuring accurately, (I) observing carefully, (j) solving problems, (k) participating in groups, (l) keeping healthy, (m) enjoying aesthetic experiences, and (n) living in a pluralistic society. 2. The objectives of the curriculum facilitate the development of behavior based upon: (a) values of honesty and integrity, (b) loyalty to democratic ideals and processes, (c) responsibility for one's own actions, (d) appreciation and desire for the best in our culture, willingness to accept and detect desirable changes, and respect and concern for others, (e) wise use of time, money, and natural resources, and understanding and accepting self. 3. The curriculum is broad in scope and provides for balanced experiences designed for development of basic skills, recreation, health, social living, and aesthetic activities.

10 IV. School Plant (For Accredited status 24 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 22.) 1. A safety preparedness plan has been developed for the school. 2. Fire drills are conducted monthly. 3. A natural disaster plan has been developed and drills are conducted yearly. 4. Panic hardware is installed and operational on all outside doors except classrooms that open directly to an outside area. 5. Electrical and gas outlets and lighting fixtures are in safe condition. 6. There is a minimum of 20 square feet of floor space per student in each instructional area. 7. Commodes, lavatories, and urinals are clean and operational. 8. Fire extinguishers are available and have current inspection labels attached. 9. Exit lights are operating. 10. All storage spaces are free of fire hazards. 11. Equipment on the school grounds is in safe condition. 12. Building appears to be structurally sound. 13. Drinking fountains are available and operational. 14. All exits are free of obstruction. 15. In schools with kitchens, equipment is safe and operational. 16. An exhaust system is installed in science laboratories and functions when hazardous fumes are present. 17. There is adequate lighting throughout the school plant. 18. Science laboratory equipment and furnishings are in safe and operational condition. 19. All buildings have a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Georgia State Fire Marshall. Those buildings not eligible to be issued a Certificate of Occupancy by the State Fire Marshall have an acceptable inspection report by an appropriate local, State, or federal fire official on file. 20. Protective eyewear is used in appropriate laboratories. 21. Emergency eyewash equipment is provided in labs where chemicals are used. 22. Schools of 300 students or less have a school site of at least 4 acres. Schools of more than

11 300 students have a school site of at least 4 acres plus an additional acre for each 100 students above Outside lighting is sufficient to avoid hazards at night. 24. Where lockers are present, they are operable. 25. Adequate teacher work space is available. 26. Shelving in the Media Center is adequate for materials and equipment. 27. In schools with lunchroom workers, separate restroom facilities are available for lunchroom workers. 28. Automatic door closers are present in areas where food is prepared or consumed. V. Finances (For Accredited status 5 affirmative answers are required.) 1. All financial activities relating to inter-school contests and all other school-sponsored activities are under the direct control of the principal or headmaster. 2. The monthly and annual salary of the principal is greater than that of any other member of the school staff with the same level of preparation and experience. 3. The annual salary of the superintendent or headmaster is greater than that of any other member of the staff with the same level of preparation and experience. 4. At least $6.00 per student enrolled is spent for library books and other library media, exclusive of equipment, each school year. 5. The school has a system of internal accounting records showing all receipts and disbursements. These records are audited annually by a qualified individual who is not a member of the administrative staff of the school. Standards for High School Programs Schools containing grades 10 through 12 or any combination of grades 10 through 12 must apply as high schools. Schools containing grades 7 through 12 or any combination thereof may apply as high schools. The following standards for high school programs are to be used by principals of schools who are making application for Provisional, Accredited, or Accredited With Quality status for programs in their schools. The number of standards required to be answered affirmatively in order to meet the 85% required by the Commission for Accredited status is given at the beginning of each section of standards. I. Organization (For Accredited status 14 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 12.) 1. The school schedules 180 full school days for students.

12 2. The school day consists of at least six hours exclusive of lunch and break periods. (Normal class changing time will count as being part of the six hour school day. Schools may operate on shortened schedules for up to one day per grading period for teacher-parent conferences.) 3. The length of each instructional period is at least 55 minutes gross and 50 minutes net. (Schools which have developed flexible schedules or block schedules will not be in violation of this standard providing at least 135 hours of instruction are provided for each Carnegie Unit granted.) The seat time requirement may be waived for up to one Carnegie Unit of Credit per student per school year for independent study and/or distance learning courses without being in violation of this standard when they successfully complete the exit exams approved by the school for the courses. 4. The maximum individual class size is 35 and the maximum system-wide average class size is 30.8 or less, with the following exceptions: (a) Remedial classes without aides do not exceed 18 students. (b) Remedial classes with aides do not exceed 24 students (c) Instrumental music classes do not exceed 100 students. (d) Choral music classes do not exceed 80 students. (e) Physical education classes without aides do not exceed 40 students. (f) Physical education classes with aides do not exceed 53 students. (g) Co-Op-Supervision class loads do not exceed 56 students. 5. The maximum number of students per teacher per week does not exceed the following: (a) Physical education students with aides, 200 students without aides. (b) Instrumental music students. (c) Choral music students. (d) Military training students. (e) Typing or Keyboarding students. (f) All other classes students. (Schools on block schedules where individual classes meet only two or three times per week will be considered as meeting this standard if the average class sizes, based on a five day week, are not exceeded.) 6. The principal of the school has at least one-half of his or her time free from teaching responsibilities for supervision of the instructional program. Principals of schools with 14 or more teachers have full time for administration and supervision. 7. All inter-school contests and all other school-sponsored activities are under direct and complete control of the school administration. Responsibilities related to school-sponsored activities are not delegated to any person or persons other than employees of the school or system. 8. The Media Center has a minimum of 10 books per student or a minimum of 7 books per student and an annual expenditure of $2.00 or more per student for computer disks, video cassettes, video disks, filmstrips and other non-print media. 9. Complete and accurate permanent records are properly maintained for all students.

13 10. Each teacher has at least one 30-minute period during the class day for planning and reparation for instruction with the following exception. Teachers who are on extended day programs may have planning periods outside the regular class day. 11. Student records are protected against fire, theft, and damage by being located in a fireresistant cabinet or a duplicate set of records is located in another area. 12. Whenever the person designated as the principal or headmaster of the school leaves the position, the Executive Director of the Georgia Accrediting Commission must be notified within 3 months. 13. The school requires the completion of a four-year course of study above the eighth grade for graduation. 14. At least 60% of the students enter from accredited feeder schools. 15. The school provides each student a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch. 16. The organization of the Media Center collection and the school schedule facilitates use of the collection by students during all school hours. 17. Student personnel services include access to health and psychological counseling services. 18. When offered by the school, the weekly meals provide one-third of the recommended weekly dietary allowance of nutrients and include meat or a meat alternate, bread, milk, and fruits and/or vegetables. II. Summer School (For Accredited status 5 affirmative answers are required.) 1. The summer school program is operated in such a manner that needed supportive services are available to students. The school system also handles all funds involved in the summer program. In addition, all conditions of Provisional accreditation are met. 2. There are at least 120 clock hours of instruction for each 15 quarter hours of credit or each Carnegie Unit awarded. 3. The school does not grant students more than 25 quarter hours of credit or 1-1/2 Carnegie Units in a summer school of 30 days or less. Nor does it grant more than 30 quarter hours of credit or two Carnegie Units during any summer school period. 4. No teacher teaches more than two subjects in the same period. 5. Credit is not granted to any student in more than three subject areas during any summer school period. III. Personnel (For Accredited status 12 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 10.) 1. In addition to the principal, the teaching staff includes five or more full-time, qualified teachers in the high school.

14 2. A school with an enrollment of 750 or more must have a full-time assistant principal. A combination school (that is, an elementary and high school under one administration) of 30 or more teachers must have an assistant principal. Either the principal or the assistant principal must have responsibility in the elementary area. 3. All teachers employed on a full-time or part-time basis as instructors in the school hold, a Georgia professional certificate or a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 18 semester hours of professional education. An exception may be granted for those teachers issued permits by the Georgia Department of Education. This standard may also be met by teachers with bachelor's degrees completing 6 semester hours per year of appropriate professional education until 18 semester hours of credit are obtained. 4. All teachers employed on a full-time or part-time basis as instructors in the school hold an infield Georgia certificate or a minimum of 27 semester hours in the field in which the major part of their teaching lies. All teachers also have a minimum of 6 semester hours in any field in which they teach. An exception may be granted for those teachers issued permits by the Georgia Department of Education. 5. The principal holds a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate. In non-public schools, the principal may hold a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision. 6. The superintendent or headmaster holds a five-year Georgia administrator's certificate in order for any school in the system to be accredited. In non-public schools, the superintendent or headmaster holds, as a minimum, a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision. 7. The governing board delegates to the superintendent or headmaster all executive and administrative functions, including the nomination of personnel. 8. Teachers and all other personnel of a school are employed only upon the recommendation by the principal to the superintendent or headmaster. 9. Schools with 7 through 9 teachers have 1/4-time secretarial service, 10 through 13 teachers have1/2-time secretarial service, l4 through 16 teachers have 3/4- time secretarial service, and with17 or more teachers have full-time secretarial service. 10. Schools with more than 200 students have one person assigned at least one-half time to media services. 11. All persons employed as paraprofessionals, auxiliary helpers or teachers' aides are under the direct supervision of a professionally qualified person. 12. The qualifications and assignments of Media Specialists conform to the following provisions:

15 A high school that is part of a combination school has media service allocated on the basis of the total enrollment of the combination school. 13. A school counselor with at least a master's degree and 18 semester hours credit in guidance and counseling or SC-5 certificate is assigned for guidance and testing equivalent to one period per day for each 100 students. For each additional 500 students or major fraction, an additional full-time counselor is employed. 14. Assistant principals have preparation leading toward a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate or a master's degree with 15 semester hours in administration and supervision. Assistant principals who do not meet these requirements may earn 6 semester hours in administration and supervision each year until the requirements are met. 15. The governing board of a school or school system publishes policies that will assure the observance of professional ethics by all concerned and will attract, retain, and promote the professional development of competent school personnel. 16. All teachers who do not hold current Georgia teaching certificates and who have been employed by the school or school system for five years or more have received at least 6 semester hours or 10 quarter hours of college credit, or 10 continuing education units, or 100 contact hours in locally approved professional development activities within the past 5 years. IV. Programs of Study (For Accredited status 4 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 4.) 1. Twenty-one Carnegie Units of credit in grades 9 through 12 are required for graduation. 2. At least 27 unit courses are taught for credit each year. Each of these 27 units constitutes a full year's work. A school may meet this requirement by alternating foreign language I and II or chemistry and physics. 3. All graduating students meet the following requirements:

16 4. All academic work transferred from a school accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission is accepted with the following exception. A student may not be granted credit for more than 30quarter hours or two Carnegie Units during any summer school period, including transfer credit. 5. Evidence exists that a program of health and physical education is conducted in accordance with accepted practice. 6. All transfer credit that is not from a GAC or SACS accredited school is validated. Acceptance of work endorsed by other accrediting groups is the prerogative of local schools. To validate credit, a school may give examinations or may certify satisfactory performance. V. School Plant (For Accredited status 24 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 22.) 1. A safety preparedness plan has been developed for the school. 2. Fire drills are conducted monthly. 3. A natural disaster plan has been developed and drills are conducted yearly. 4. Panic hardware is installed and operational on all outside doors except classrooms that open directly to an outside area. 5. Electrical and gas outlets and lighting fixtures are in safe condition. 6. There is a minimum of 20 ft2 of floor space per student in each instructional area. 7. Commodes, lavatories, and urinals are clean and operational. 8. Fire extinguishers are available and have current inspection labels attached. 9. Exit lights are operating. 10. All storage spaces are free of fire hazards. 11. Equipment on the school grounds is in safe condition. 12. Building appears to be structurally sound. 13. Drinking fountains are available and operational.

17 14. All exits are free of obstruction. 15. In schools with kitchens, equipment is safe and operational. 16. An exhaust system is installed in science laboratories and functions when hazardous fumes are present. 17. There is adequate lighting throughout the school plant. 18. Science laboratory equipment and furnishings are in safe and operational condition. 19. All buildings have a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Georgia State Fire Marshall. Those buildings not eligible to be issued a Certificate of Occupancy by the State Fire Marshall have an acceptable inspection report by an appropriate local, State, or federal fire official on file. 20. Protective eyewear is used in appropriate laboratories. 21. Emergency eyewash equipment is provided in labs where chemicals are used. 22. Schools of 300 students or less have a school site of at least 4 acres. Schools of more than 300 students have a school site of at least 4 acres plus an additional acre for each 100 students above Outside lighting is sufficient to avoid hazards at night. 24. Where lockers are present, they are operable. 25. Adequate teacher workspace is available. 26. Shelving in the Media Center is adequate for materials and equipment. 27. In schools with lunchroom workers, separate restroom facilities are available for lunchroom workers. 28. Automatic door closers are present in areas where food is prepared or consumed. VI. Finances (For Accredited status 5 affirmative answers are required.) 1. All financial activities relating to inter-school contests and all other school-sponsored activities are under the direct control of the principal or headmaster. 2. The monthly and annual salary of the principal is greater than that of any other member of the school staff with the same level of preparation and experience. 3. The annual salary of the superintendent or headmaster is greater than that of any other member of the system staff with the same level of preparation and experience. 4. At least $6.00 per student enrolled is spent for library books and other library media, exclusive of equipment, each school year.

18 5. The school has a system of internal accounting records showing all receipts and disbursements. These records are audited annually by a qualified individual who is not a member of the administrative staff of the school.

19 Standards for Middle/Junior High School Programs A junior high/middle school may be any combination of grades four (4) through nine (9). The following standards for junior high/middle school programs are to be used by principals of schools who are making application for Provisional, Accredited, or Accredited With Quality status for programs in their schools. The number of standards required to be answered affirmatively in order to meet the 85% required by the Commission for Accredited status is given at the beginning of each section of standards. I. Organization (For Accredited status 12 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 10) 1. The school schedules 180 full school days for students each year. 2. A school day consists of at least six hours exclusive of lunch and break periods. (Normal class changing time will count as being part of the six hour school day. Schools may operate on shortened schedules up to one day for each grading period for teacher parent conferences.) 3. The maximum individual class size is 33 students or less, and the school-wide average class size is 28.6 or less with the following exceptions: (a) Remedial classes without aides do not exceed 18 students. (b) Remedial classes with aides do not exceed 24 students. (c) Instrumental music classes do not exceed 100 students. (d) Choral music classes do not exceed 80 students. (e) Physical education classes without aides do not exceed 40 students. (f) Physical education classes with aides do not exceed 53 students. 4. The principal of any junior high/middle school must have at least one-half of his or her time free from classroom responsibilities to supervise instruction. Principals of schools with 14 or more teachers have full time for administration and supervision. 5. All inter-school contests and all other school-sponsored activities are under the direct and complete control of the school administration. Responsibilities related to school-sponsored activities are not delegated to any person or persons other than employees of the school system. 6. The Media Center has a minimum of 10 books per student or a minimum of 7 books per student and an annual expenditure of $2.00 or more per student for computer disks, video cassettes, video disks, filmstrips and other non-print media. 7. Complete and accurate permanent records are maintained for all students. 8. Each teacher has at least one 30 minute period during the class day for planning and preparation for instruction. 9. Student records are protected against fire, theft, and damage by being located in a fireresistant cabinet or a duplicate set of records is located in another area. 10. Whenever the person designated as the principal or headmaster of the school leaves the position, the Executive Director of the Georgia Accrediting Commission must be notified within 3 months.

20 11. At least 60% of students entering the school enter from accredited feeder schools. 12. The school provides each student a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch. 13. The organization of the Media Center collection and the school schedule facilitate use of the collection by the students during all school hours. 14. Student activities include access to health and psychological counseling services. 15. When offered by the school, the weekly meals provide one-third of the recommended weekly dietary allowance of nutrients and include meat or a meat alternate, bread, milk, and fruits and/or vegetables. II. Summer School (For Accredited status 5 affirmative answers are required.) 1. The summer school program, if offered, is operated in accordance with a normal instructional program. The school system also handles all funds involved in the summer program. In addition, all conditions of Provisional accreditation are met. 2. There are at least 120 clock hours of instruction for each 15 quarter hours of credit or each Carnegie Unit awarded. 3. A school does not grant students more than 25 quarter hours of credit or 1 and 1/2 Carnegie Units in a summer school of 30 days or less. Nor does it grant more than 30 quarter hours of credit or two Carnegie Units during any summer school period. 4. No teacher teaches more than two subjects in the same period. 5. Credit is not granted to any student in more than three subject areas during any summer school period.

21 III. Personnel (For Accredited status 12 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 10.) 1. In addition to the principal, the teaching staff includes five or more full-time qualified teachers in the middle school. 2. A school with an enrollment of 750 or more must have a full-time assistant principal. A combination school of 30 or more classroom teachers must have an assistant principal. Either the principal or the assistant principal must have responsibility in the middle grades area. 3. All teachers employed on a full-time or part-time basis as instructors in the school hold a Georgia State professional certificate or a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 18 semester hours of professional education. An exception may be granted for those teachers issued permits by the Georgia Department of Education. This standard may also be met by teachers with bachelor's degrees completing 6 semester hours per year of appropriate professional education until 18 semester hours of credit are obtained. 4. All teachers employed in the school hold (a) a Georgia certificate in field when assigned to teach in grades 6, 7, 8, or 9 or (b) a bachelor&rsquo>s degree and 27 semester credit hours in elementary or middle grades education and have at least 6 semester hours credit in any field in which they teach (equivalent staff development units may be substituted for semester hours). 5. The principal holds a Georgia state administrator's professional certificate. In non-public schools, the principal may hold a master's degree with 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision. 6. The superintendent or headmaster holds a five-year Georgia administrator's certificate in order for any school in the system to be accredited. In non-public schools, the superintendent or headmaster holds, as a minimum, a master's degree with a minimum of 15 semester hours in school administration and supervision. 7. The governing board delegates to the superintendent or headmaster all executive and administrative functions, including the nomination of personnel. 8. Teachers and all other personnel of an individual school are employed only upon the recommendation by the principal to the superintendent or headmaster. 9. Schools with seven through nine teachers have 1/4-time secretarial service, 10 through 13 teachers have ½>-time secretarial service, 14 through 16 teachers have 3/4- time secretarial service, and with 17 or more teachers have full-time secretarial service. 10. Schools with more than 200 students have one person assigned at least one-half time to media services.